Rhun's Greyhawk OMEGA Campaign (ToEE) - Continued

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Wait.
The big guy whispers.
Could be only two people whispering behind the door, but it can be two speaking and ten more sits quietly with crossbows ready. Can be take another route? People that whisper are planning something.

[Dire Lemming]

"This is the other route." Shoon reminds the mighty Barbarian-like Paladin. "Besides, they are far too stupid to pull a trick like that. That is the main reason we are still alive." He adds flatly.

[Dire Lemming]

Shoon waits for several moments for anyone else to voice their concerns, and when no one does, he carefully tries to turn the door nob, kick the door open, and then get out of Merrick's way.

[Rhun]

Shoon turns the handle, and kicks the door open, moving quickly to the side to allow Merrick to charge into the room.

The element of surprise has been lost, however...apparently, your discussion of how to proceed was overheard by those beyond the door, depsite keeping your voices low, and before you stands an company of battle-hardened gnolls. They wear black, studded leather armor, and those closest to the door bear heavy shields and sharp battleaxes. Those furthest have longbows, arrows drawn and aimed toward you...




No surprise, intiative count:

Initiative
23 Shoon
19 Gnoll 3
18 Deren
18 Gnoll 6
17 Gnoll 5
13 Gnoll 7
12 Gnoll 4
11 Merrick
11 Gnoll 2
09 Ciaran
03 Gnoll 1
02 Zirat
02 Aeron


PC Status
(This assumes Aeron used 2 charges from the wand to heal Zirat prior to this fight. The wand of lesser vigor has 45 charges reamining)

Zirat - HP: 37/40
Merrick - HP: 28/31


-MAP-

[Dire Lemming]

Seeing that leading a frontal assault would be suicide, Shoon quickly slams the door shut again before the enemy can loose their arrows. "Wah!" he shouts, and then adds in a lower voice, "We really should think about flanking them this time, they're heavily entrenched there, but if I remember right, wasn't there a door at the back of that guard room from last time? It seems like it could lead right into this room. If there were still people in it they'd have heard us by now. So it seems like they've abandoned it."

[Rhun]

Shoon reacts quickly, slamming the door shut before Merrick can charge through, and before the gnolls can respond to your intrustion. You can hear their raised voices through the door, growling and barking words in their own language.

[Dog Moon]

"Unless we somehow block the door," Deren says, "I don't think this is going to hold them for long."

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

I will hold the door while you bring the furniture. We'll block this way and flee to the other side of the death chamber (the one that is full with skeletons). Unless you want to fight those and the ones they'll alert.

[Dire Lemming]

Shoon scratches his head as he looks at the others, "Would it not be better if they attacked us? In that room they have the advantage of being in a fortified defensive position. Assuming they are stupid enough to leave that position, they will have left their advantage behind as well, and if we form a defense here, then it will be us with the advantage. Besides, the door opens inward."

He finishes and without waiting to see if the others have even heard him, nevermind payed any heed he moves swiftly to a posision just around the corner where they can fight off the enemy with both close combat and ranged weapons without them being able to charge or effectively use their bows.

[InVinoVeritas]

"Draw them out," Ciaran recommends. "One spell will blind them, one will bind them. My sparks and web should keep them in disarray long enough for us to attack them at a distance. By the time they recover, we should have the numerical advantage."

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

The champion nods and let loose the door, he takes position where arrows could not reach him and ready his chain.

[Dire Lemming]

"Make sure that we keep some of them alive, especially the leader if it is possible." Shoon reminds the group. "If we knock out the first one that reaches us then even if we are forced to retreat again we can bring him with us."

[Voadam]

Sir Merrick's hands tighen on the haft of his polearm until the wood creaks, ready to spring upon the foe. As soon as the door opens he leaps to unleash steely mayhem upon the lead gnoll.

[Dichotomy]

Torn, not knowing whether it is best to prepare to aid in the melee or be ready with the wand, Aeron curses. He quickly slings his shield over his back, holding his weapon in one hand, and draws the wand with the other.

OOC

That probably covers my action this round. Sorry for the delay. I didn't realize until I left town that my destination for Memorial Day didn't have internet access.

[Dog Moon]

Deren keeps his hand readied on his dagger. "We better do this quickly," he says, "Or WE'LL be the ones outflanked."

[Rhun]

Several moments pass as you wait for the gnolls in the small L-shaped chamber, listening to them bark and shout at one another behind the door. Suddenly, the deep bass note of a warhorn sounds, echoing loudly despite the closed portal between you and the gnolls. As the first note fades, a second sounds in short succession...you have no doubt that the horn can be clearly heard throughout most of this level of the Temple, and you are certain that the gnoll's reinforcements will soon be on their way.

[Dog Moon]

"Uh oh," Deren says, "That's not good."

[Dire Lemming]

"The consistency with which they remain inconsistent is disturbing. Once again it seems that they know exactly what we are thinking... It is as if they are controlled by some being that can sense our very thoughts."

Shoon shakes his head in disbelief.

[InVinoVeritas]

Ciaran calculates the situation with nonchalance. "They wish to gather the forces, then we wish to scatter. Run. We'll meet whatever extra resistance there may be on the way out."

He waves his fingers in the air, overlooking a mental map of the place. "There may be no more resistance... but there is no need to risk it now. We still run."

Ciaran heads back toward the hallway of skulls, with his loaded crossbow at the ready.

[Dire Lemming]

"We are not leaving this place without a prisoner again." Shoon relies flatly, glancing at Merrick and Zirat from confirmation. "If we are to retreat again then we must find someone on the way to take captive."